Fluid actuated control valve



June 24, 1952 G. o. KIMMELL FLUID ACTUATED CONTROL VALVE Filed May 15, 1948 Enventpr GarmanO. K/mm'ef/ M v WM Gttorneg 6 Patented June 24, 1952 STATE 5 PAT E NT F F 1 CE] FLUIDACIUATED CONTROL VALVE Garin'an O. Kimnie'll; Oklahoma City, Okla., as-

signor to Black, Sivalls & Bryson, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., a-corporation ofDel-aware Application May15, 1948,-Serial No. 27,333

" Claims "(01. 121- 126) This inventionrelates to valves, particularly a fluid-actuated valve for delivering a pressure fluid to a plurality of points alternately as for example, to the oppositeends of a double-acting cylinder; sides of a pressure diaphragm, or like device, and has for its principal objects to' provide a valve of this character that is of simple construction, positive in operation and which is characterized by its ease of operationand that it has no dead center position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a valve which is characterized by its ease of adjustiiient and 'topr'ovide' a toggling action en'the trip lever for effecting rapid change in valve position.

accomplishing these and "other objects" of theinvention as hereinafter pointed out, I have providediniproved structureythe preferred form of' which illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein: Fig; iis' an enlarged section-through a valve constructed in accordance with the'present'invention.

Fig; 21s a perspective view of the triplever.

Fig. 3 is'a diagrammatic view'of' thevalve.

mechanism associated with a fluid motor and valve rod actuated thereby;

Referring more indetail'to'the drawings:

i designates a vaiveconstructed in accordance withthe present invention and which includes a" valve body or housing 2. Thevalve body may be of any suitable shape but is shown in-the drewhis as "of rectangular form to provide opposite sidfaces 3' and 4 and end faces and6. Openinginwardly of the body of the valve frdm the.

sidciaces 3 and 4 are opposed axially aligned recesses T s and 9-4 e which arercspectively inteiconnected by axial passageways H and |20f smaller diameter than the recesses which 1 they connect. Also formed in the side faces sand 4 of "the valve body are internally threaded bores l3 and "I 4 for connecting discharge 'pip'es 'i 5 and [B "that are "adaptedtobe connected to therespec'tive ends of a reciprocatory mechanism; for examplelthe ends of a pressure actuated cylinder, opposite sides of a diaphragm type actuator IB',- as shownin Fig. 3, or similar devicewith which the valve is' to be used. The'bores l3 and I dare connected withtherespective recess 53- and Why ports il -and -l8-and the'recess 9-and"l0 are connected with the recesses 7 and 8 by pairs of spaced ports 19 2n and 2 i-22. Openingwinwardly from the end face 6 of the valve body-is an internally threaded bore 23 for connecting a pressure fluid supply pipe 24 and which connects with'thepassaseway l2 through a port 25. The oppcsite iace 50f the valve body has an inwardly extending bore or passageway llfi that connects with the passageway I i and provides an exhaust through aregistering opening 2''! of a bracket 28 later" described.

Reclprocalble in the passageway H is a stem 29 having ends 30 and 3| slidably mou'nted'in bores32 and 33 that are provided in plugs 34 and 35 which closethe o en ends'ofthe recesses 1 and 8. The plugs 34 and"'35 are preferably threadedinto the open ends of the recesses as shown in'the drawing.

Formed 'on the stem are spaced collars 31 and 33 for seating valve" members139"and 40 and which have 'tapei'edfaces 'lil adapted'to alternately engage seats B2 and 43 "thatencirclethe ends of the passageway It. The valvesa're retained in position against the collars by nuts 44 "that are threadedonto the'valvestemi' The valvesare'thu'slocated within'the recesses 1 and 8 and are adapted to alternately open and close the connections between the valve recesses "and passageway H to controlexhaust of theya'lve operating fluid 'as later described. The 'valve stem is adapted tobe actuated under control of a trip lever iihaving a yoke-shaped'headlfi engaging between the collars '31 and38 of the valvestem. The opposite end of the lever terminates in a yoke 41 seating coil springs 48 and 49 on the respective sidescf a lever 50. The lever 50 also has a yoke-shaped end 51 straddling the yoke 41 and which -is pivotallyconnected-with thelever 45 by a pin' 52 extending transversely of the opening 2] and-having its ends n'xedto the-bracket 28. The bracket '26 ismo'untedpn the end face 5 of the valve body by cap screws 53. Engagedin the recesses 9 and "in are liners i 54 'and '55, each-having a cylindrical wall 56 and a closed bottom '51, the-bottoms= being-provided with axial openings 5a which are" count rbored asat59 to provide valve seats 60 and 61 on the facing sides of the liner bottoms.- The circumference 'ofthe respective liners are-provided with spaced grooves "62 and 63- to provideannularpassageways 64 85 andtfifl.

The passageways 64- 'and 65 are connected-with piston chambers and '69 throughparts 10 and i H that are formed within 'the-liners and with the ports I 9 and 29. The annular passageways GE an'd 'BT are connected by radial ports Hand 13 with the counterbores*'59; The passageways st and 66 arealso connectedwi'th the ports 6 l. i The valving members are retained in fixed relation on the I piston red by sleeves sleeved thereon and havingone end" bearing against a respective vaiving member and its opposite end against the piston, the parts being retained in assembly by nuts 8% mounted on the threaded ends 82 of the piston rod as shown in the drawing. The liners are retained in seated position within the recesses by caps 83 and 8t closing the outer open ends of the recesses, and having flanges 85 engaging within the recesses and seating gaskets 86 which are pressed against the ends of the liners to seal the joint.

The sleeves 80 have loose fits within the liners so as to not close flow of pressure fluid to the pistons during operation of the valve as later described. The trip lever 50 is operated by a part of the device to be controlled by the valve, for example, if a pressure cylinder, the piston rod or stem indicated at 81 in the drawing, in which case the rod or stem will be provided with threads for adjustably mounting collars 88 and 89 for engaging the respective sides of the lever arm 56 when the actuated piston reaches the ends of its stroke. 7

Assuming that the valve constructed as described is connected through the pipes l5 and I6 with the respective ends of the equipment to which an actuating fluid is to be alternately supplied for efiecting movement, for example,

' of the piston rod or stem 8'! and that the pipe 24 'is connected with a source of gas or vapor supply, the operation is as follows:

With the parts in position shown in the draw- 0 ing, pressure fluid is supplied through the port 25 to the passageway 12 and through the counterbore 59, radial ports 12, annular passageway 65and port I! to the pipe 15 for effecting movement of the piston rod 81.

Flow of pressure fluid from the passageway I2 is closed off from the opposite end of the cylinder since the valve 78 engages the seat 6|. Pressure fluid also enters the inner end of the piston chamber 68. Pressure fluid also flows through the port 26 into the valve chamber or recess 1 and through the larger port l9, annular passage 64 and port 70 to equalize pressure on opposite sides of the piston I4. The piston M is thus retained in the position illustrated to maintain closure of the valve 18. The piston chamber 69 is vented on the respective sides of the piston 15 through the ports 2| and 22, valve chamber or recess 8, passageways ll and26 and opening 21. The pressure in the Valve chamber 1 therefore retains the valve 39 in seated position and the valve 40 in unseated position. As the stem 8! begins its movement, the collar 89 moves from engagement with the lever and as the stem reaches the end of its stroke the collar 88 engages the lever 56. A force is therefore applied on the lever 50 in a direction to cause the lever 45 to lift the valve 39 through engagement of the yoke 46 with the collar 31. The difference in pressure across the Valve 39 and M3 resists the actuating force to compress the spring 49. When the difference in pressure on the respective sides of the valves 39 and 40 is balanced by the force on the spring 49 as applied on the lever arm 45, the valve 39 is lifted from its seat and the action is rapidly completed by expansion of the spring 49.

With this arrangement there is a snap action effecting opening movement of the valve 39 so that the pressure in the valve chamber 1 is exhausted through the passageway ll, passageway 26, and opening 2! to atmosphere. Since the full capacity of the passageways and opening 21 are several times larger than the combined capacity of the openings I9 and 20, pressure in the valve chamber immediately falls to the pressure in the exhaust passageway. The pressure medium contained in the piston chamber on the outer side of the piston 74 then has free passage through the ports 16 and I9 to the valve chamber 1 where the pressure is dropped rapidly to the pressure in the exhaust passage 26. The rapid change in pressure sets up a difference in pressure across the piston M and since the piston area is greater than the area of the valves 1'! and 18, the force acting on the underside of the piston 14 effects shifting of the piston 14 to lift the valve 18 from its seat 6|, thereby closing entrance of pressure fluid to the ports 12, annular passageway 65 and port H to the pipe l5. That end of the actuated apparatus is then free to exhaust to atmosphere through the pipe I5, port [1, annular passageway 65, port 20, valve chamber 1, passageways II and 26 and opening 21. This venting is restricted by the passageway 20 only sufficiently to prevent rise of pressure in the valve chamber 1 substantially above the pressure in the exhaust passageway 26. sition of the valves 39 and 40, gas or vapor under supply pressure is free to fill rapidly the piston chamber on the outside of piston 15 and valve chamber 8 through passageway 12, valve seat 6|, radial ports 73, annular passageway 61, port 22, valve chamber 6, port 2|, annular passageway 66 and ports H. At the end of valve position change the pressure on the opposite side of the piston is at the same pressure as the pressure in the exhaust passageway 26 so that a difference in pressure is imposed across the piston 15 to further assist in change of position of the valves TI and 18 and provides a holding force to maintain the change position of the valves. Pressure fluid then reaches the valve chamber 8 to maintain a pressure differential across the valve 46 which with the effort afforded by the spring 49 holds the valves 39 and 46 in changed position. The pressure fluid is now free to pass from the source of supply to the controlled equipment that is connected with the pipe I6, the fluid flowing through passageway l2, valve seat 6|, radial port 73, passageway 6! and port [8. The pressure fluid will then effect movement of the rod 81 in the opposite direction to again reverse flow to the controlled equipment when the collar 89 actuates the trip lever 50. Like cycles of operation continue as previously described to continue alternate operation of the controlled equipment.

If desired, the valve as described may be adapted to two-way operation or to equipment requiring pressure fluid alternately to one point as in the case of a spring or weight-loaded piston or diaphragm. In this case one of the connections [3 or M may be plugged and the other connected with the equipment to be operated.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a valve mechanism which is of simple and inexpensive construction and adapted for positive control of a pressure fluid used in operating pressure cylinder diaphragms or simpressure fluid actuated device and having co- With the change in poaxial pressure chambers in connection with said outlets, valves in the valve chamber for controlling flow through the outlets, pistons in said pressure chambers and having connection with the valves to operate as a unit and alternately seat the valves in closing relation with the outlets, said valve body also having control valve chambers related to the pressure chambers and having flow connections with the outlets and with the pressure chambers at outer sides of the pistons and having coaxial exhaust ports, a control valve in each control valve chamber, means interconnecting the control valves for alternately closing one exhaust port and opening the other exhaust port, means for effecting actuation of the control valves so that when one of the first named valves is in position establishing flow of pressure fluid through the outlet and pressure fluid is admitted to the related pressure chamber on the respective sides of the piston by way of said related control valve cham her and flow connection when the control valve for that chamber is seated to render the pressure fluid effective on the device to be actuated and to equalize pressure on the respective sides of the related piston while the other of the first named valves is closing flow of pressure fluid to the other of said outlets and pressure fluid is exhausting from the device to be actuated to establish pressure on the other piston to hold the first named valves in said open and closed positions and to effect exhaust of pressure fluid from the device to be actuated and venting of the pressure fluid from the opposite sides of said other piston through the related control valve chamber having the unseated control valve, and means for alternately operating the control valves to effect alternate operation of said first named valves for reversing the flow of pressure fluid to and from the device to be actuated.

2. A valve of the character described including a valve body having a valve chamber provided with an inlet for a pressure fluid and coaxial outlets adapted for connection with a pressure fluid actuated device and having coaxial pressure chambers in connection with said outlets, valves in the valve chamber for controlling flow through the outlets, pistons in said pressure chambers and having connection with I the valves as a unit to alternately seat the valves in closing relation with the outlets, said valve body also having control valve chambers related to the pressure chambers and having flow connections with the outlets and fiow connections of larger capacity with the pressure chambers at outer sides of the pistons and having coaxial exhaust ports, a control valve in each control valve chamber, means interconnecting the control valves for alternately closing one exhaust port and opening the other exhaust port, means for effecting actuation of the control valves so that when one of the first named valves is in position establishing flow of the pressure fluid through the outlet and fluid is admitted to the related pressure chamber on the respective sides of the piston by way of said related control valve chamber and flow connections when the control valve for that chamber is seated to render the pressure fluid efiective on the device to be actuated and to equalize pressure on the respective side of the related piston while the other of the first named valves is closing flow of pressure fluid to the other of said outlets and pressure fluid is exhausting from the device to be actuated to establish pressure on the other piston to hold the first named valves in said open and closed positions and to efiect exhaust of pressure fluid from the device to be actuated and venting of the pressure fluid from the opposite side of said other piston through the related control valve chamber having the unseated control valve, and means for alternately operating the control valves to efiect alternate operation of said first named valves for reversing the flow of pressure fluid to and from the device to be actuated.

3. A valve of the character described including a valve body having a valve chamber provided with an inlet for a pressure fluid and outlets for the pressure fluid, a valving member for each of said outlets, means interconnecting the valving members and alternately closing said outlets, pistons connected with said.

valves, said valve body having control valve chambers connected with said outlets through interconnecting ports and with opposite sides of the pistons through larger ports to effect rapid exhaust through the larger ports into the control chambers, said control chambers having exhaust ports, control valves for the exhaust ports, a stem interconnecting the control valves, spaced collars on the stem, a trip lever having a yoke engaged between said collars and adapted to shift the stem to alternately seat one of the control valves and unseat the other control valve for effecting operation of the valving members.

4. A valve of the character described including a valve body having a valve chamber provided with an inlet for a pressure fluid and coaxial outlets for the pressure fluid and having pressure chambers coaxial with said outlets, actuators in said pressure chambers, a stem connecting the actuators, valving members on said stem to close one outlet when the other is open, said valve body having control valve chambers respectively connected with said outlets on the side of said valving members in direction of flow through the outlets and with said pressure chambers for supplying pressure medium to the pressure chambers, exhaust valves in said control chambers for controlling exhaust ports in the control chambers, a stem interconnecting the exhaust valves, spaced collars on the stem, a trip lever having a yoke engaged between said collars and adapted to alternately seat one of the exhaust valves to render the pressure fluid effective in one of the pressure chambers and unseat the other control valve to exhaust pressure fiuid from the other pressure chamber.

GARMAN O'. KIMMELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 50,218 Cameron Oct. 3, 1865 335,855 Toole Feb. 9, 1886 358,804 Cresswell Mar. 1., 1887 400,919 Keplinger Apr. 9, 1889 485,046 Laney Oct. 25, 1892 1,058,804 Stevens Oct. 15, 1913 2,208,421 Hanna July 16, 1940 2,451,449 Sacchini Oct. 12, 1948 

